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Preserving Industrial Areas for Jobs

May 17, 2011, 11am PDT

Only 10% of the City of Vancouver, B.C. isn't zoned for residences, and that 10% holds 50% of the city's jobs. Planning director Brent Toderian says it is imperative to preserve the remaining industrial land for employment.

Vancouver's downtown densification process has been so successful that it has put pressure on nearby waterfront areas to densify as well. A new regional growth strategy is aimed at preserving the industrial land for jobs rather than homes.

Jeff Lee reports:

"Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan, chairman of Metro's regional development committee, said the region's non-residential land is under attack. "Anytime a developer can get [approval] for residential ... there's huge profits to be made. It's about money. Creating jobs comes second to people making a profit off residential property.""